There will be no fear in anyone's eyes – ours or theirs, says Low

Tomorrow's game in Bloemfontein renews one of the biggest rivalries in international football, with England and Germany having met each other in a number of crucial matches down the years.

This weekend's latest instalment will see a youthful Germany outfit pitted against a hugely experienced England side boasting the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, players Low believes are among the best in Europe.

However, the Germany boss said: "I think this is a type of game which both teams will approach with a great deal of respect.

"But while there will be respect you won't find fear in anyone's eyes, neither on the English or German side.

"No matter how important matches have been in the past, Germany have never approached these games with fear. There is some tension, but I would call it healthy tension.

"So great respect, yes, but we won't go into hiding or put our heads in the sand.

"Both teams will act with a great deal of courage, commitment and I think that, while we have a young team, we will be able to hold our own."

Looking back at past meetings between the long-time rivals, which has included key games in the World Cups of 1966, 1970 and 1990, as well as Euro 96, Low admits the games between the two are often spicy affairs.

"There are many chapters of the book of Anglo-German encounters on the pitch," he said. "We've had many games that were quite important. These games have always had a certain spice to them, as the Germans say, and full of sparks. England remain England; they can fight, they can run, they are mentally strong. They are also experienced and have class.

"So you can say it's youth versus international class, Germany v England, and we're looking forward to it."

Low admits there is a "major question mark" over the fitness of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Jerome Boateng ahead of the game. Schweinsteiger and stand-in left-back Boateng sustained injuries in Wednesday's encounter against Ghana.

Schweinsteiger is struggling with a hamstring problem while Boateng is troubled by a calf strain.

Franz Beckenbauer – a World Cup winner as a coach and a player – has apologised for his criticism of England.

Beckenbauer had claimed England were "stupid" to set up a World Cup last-16 tie with his home nation and suggested Fabio Capello's players are "burnt out" following a gruelling Premier League season.

However, Beckenbauer backtracked yesterday. He said: "Before the World Cup I thought England would play a major role in the tournament, maybe win the title.

"They have a great team and a great coach and then after the first two games I was so disappointed – not angry, but very, very disappointed.

"Maybe this (attack on England) was the reaction of my disappointment, but I apologise."